Cenla Baseball Tournament Rules & Regulations

Divisions are based upon player's ages as of year 2008 league age (As of April 30th, 2008.)  Players may play up in age but may not play down.  Players may only play on one team during a weekend. This rule applies no matter where the USSSA tournament is located.

Each team is responsible to supply 2 game balls to umpire prior to start of game.

Game Times & Mercy Rules:

Division/Age	Pool Play Times	Championship Times	Innings	Mercy Run Rule
6, 7 & 8 Under	1:00 hour	1:10	6	15 after 3, 8 after 4
9 & 10 Under	1:30	1:40	6	15 after 3, 8 after 4
11 & 12 Under	1:40	1:50	6	15 after 3, 8 after 4
13 & Over	1:40	1:50	7	15 after 3,12 after 4,8 after 5

If time expires in a tie game in pool play, game is called a tie. A tie counts as 1/2 a win and 1/2 a loss in pool play. USSSA reserves the right to modify length of games due to issues involving darkness or park curfew once an inning begins, it must be completed. However, if the home team is ahead and batting when time expires, the game is over and the inning is not completed.  Every effort will be made to finish tournament but in case of rain, darkness or other acts of God, Director reserves the right to shorten games or modify schedules in order to finish event. Rainout policy is as follows. No games played- 100% refund or credit. 1 Game played- 50% off future tournament. 2 games played- no refunds.

 Pitching Rules & Restrictions:

                               Use the table below based upon the following situations:

A. The most innings a pitcher can throw in one day and still pitch the next.

B. The most innings a pitcher can pitch in a one-day period.

C. The most innings a pitcher can pitch in two consecutive days.

Division/Age	A	B	C
8 Under	3	4	6
9 & 10 Under	4	6	8
11 & 12 Under	4	6	9
13 & 14 Under	5	7	11
15 & Over	5	7	12

 Violation of pitching restrictions will result in automatic ejection of offending Manager and player.  Once a pitcher is removed from the mound, he may not pitch again in that game. 

Distances:

Division/Age	Mound	Bases
7 & 8 Under	40 feet	60 feet
9 Under	44 feet	65 feet
10 Under	46 feet	65 feet
11 & 12 Under	50 feet	70 feet
13 Under	54 feet	80 feet
14 & Above	60 feet	90 feet

In 7U Coaches Pitch- no lead offs, no stealing. Players get 3 strikes or 6 pitches Foul balls will extend a players at bat as long as they have pitches left.  Runners from 3rd base may only advance on a hit ball. Bunting is allowed.  Ball is dead when the runners are not attempting to advance and umpire calls time.  Chicken back and forth at 3^rd base will not be allowed. 

Teams may elect to bat 9 or 10 players with the 10th player being an EH.  The EH is considered a defensive player and may switch in and out defensively.  Teams may also bat their entire roster. If team bats roster or has no subs when a starter is injured, then an out is recorded each time the injured player's spot comes up. Once a player is removed due to injury, he may not return Starters may re-enter one time only in their original spot.
Only ages 15 and up may use the DH, but only if they are not using the EH. Teams may play with 8 players during the regular season only with an out being taken for each time the 9th spot comes up. 9th player may be added any time during the game.

Home team will be determined by a coin flip and be responsible for keeping the official scorebook.  If there is a discrepancy between teams for dugouts the home team will occupy the first base dugout. In playoffs, higher seeded team will be home team until championship game which will be determined by coin flip. 

Metal cleats will not be allowed in divisions 12 and below.  All bats must be approved for Youth Baseball League No Softball Bats. Max barrel in ages 7-14 is 2 3/4. Ages 15 & above must use NFHS approved bats. (-3) Penalty for use of illegal bat will be out. 2nd offense will result in ejection of offending player.

Cenla baseball reserves the right to change locations of tournaments. 

All protest will be in writing at time of incident. $100 cash must accompany protest.  If protest is valid the refund will be refunded. All protests will be ruled on immediately and all decisions are final and once the next pitch is thrown, team loses right to protest.  Absolutely, No pre-game infield on any of the fields. Warm up in foul territory only!   

Any team forfeiting a game may not advance to playoff round if it is determined that it is beneficial to that team with regards to runs allowed/differential etc.

Courtesy runners will be allowed for the pitcher or catcher at any time.  The courtesy runner will be someone not currently in the game or if the team has no players on bench, the last out. A courtesy runner may only run one time per inning. It is the base runner's responsibility to avoid contact with the fielder when he has the ball. Slide or avoid is in effect at all times when fielder is in possession of ball. Intentionally running into a fielder who is in possession of the ball is grounds for ejection. 

All conversations with an umpire should be conducted after a time out has been called and be held in a calm and professional manner.  Verbal abuse of the umpire will not be tolerated and may result in ejection from the game.

Any manager or coach ejected from the game will sit out the next game also.  Any player ejected from a game is subject to a one game suspension at the tournament director's discretion. Managers are responsible for the conduct of his players and fans.

To intentionally walk a batter, a coach simply needs to inform the umpire and point to first base.  No pitches are thrown.

Any team knowingly using illegal players shall be subject to discipline ranging from forfeiting a game, ejection from tournament and suspension from all USSSA sanctioned leagues and tournaments for a 1 year period.

Mechanical noise makers are not allowed at USSSA events.